Rallying in the UAE/a competitive sport that supports tourism and investment

Abu Dhabi, April 25 / WAM / Rally racing in the UAE has strengthened its position as one of the most important sports that combine challenge and excitement, in addition to its growing role in supporting the national economy and enhancing the tourism sector.

Over the decades, the UAE has succeeded in transforming into a global destination for organizing major international championships, benefiting from the diversity of its desert terrain and advanced infrastructure, which made it a major station on the global motorsport map.

The country witnesses the organization of many rally competitions annually, led by the “Abu Dhabi Desert Rally”, the “Dubai International Rally (BAHA)”, and the “Abu Dhabi Baha Challenge”, in addition to the various races held within the Liwa International Festival, which combines sports and entertainment events.

The Abu Dhabi Desert Rally stands out as one of the most important of these events, as it is held annually under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Ruler’s Representative in the Al Dhafra Region, and it is considered one of the most prestigious and difficult cross-country rallyes in the world.

The rally, which was founded in 1991 by Mohammed bin Sulayem, extends to 5 stages deep in the Al Dhafra desert, within the rounds of the World Long Desert Rally Championship.

The 35th edition of the rally is preparing to start next November, continuing to attract elite international drivers.

In turn, the “Dubai International Rally (Baha)” is a prominent station, as it is held annually with wide participation from the most important riders from various countries in the world, and its ninth edition witnessed the participation of more than 30 countries and 94 vehicles, which reflects its status as one of the most prominent closing events of the World Cup for Short Desert Rallies, in addition to its distinction with tracks close to the city that allow the public to easily follow the competitions and enhance public interaction.

Rally sports in the Emirates have witnessed remarkable development since the launch of the “Dubai Desert Rally” in 1997, which later turned into “Baja”, with the expansion of its categories to include cars, motorcycles, quads and buggies, which contributed to attracting wider segments of participants and enhancing the diversity of competitions and their technical momentum.

Several regions in the country host these races, most notably the Al Dhafra region with its vast sand dunes, and the Al Ain region, which hosts various stages such as the Sweihan Hills, in addition to the Dubai Desert, which combines desert nature with its proximity to urban centres, giving the rallies a unique character that combines adventure and ease of access.

In the context of supporting national talents, the importance of the “Baha Abu Dhabi Challenge” is evident, which is organized by the Abu Dhabi Sports Council in cooperation with the Emirates Motor and Motorcycle Organization, as its third edition was held during the month of April through 4 rounds in Al Ain and the Al Dhafra region, with a focus on attracting amateur and professional drivers, and providing the opportunity for new talents to compete at advanced levels, in addition to offering incentive financial prizes.

The importance of these rallies is not limited to the sporting aspect, but extends to investment and tourism dimensions, as they contribute to promoting natural landmarks such as the Al Dhafra Desert, and enhance the country’s media presence globally, as well as activating the hospitality, transportation and services sectors, and attracting visitors from various parts of the world, which reflects positively on the national economy.

In terms of achievements, the UAE presented many prominent names in the world of rallying, led by Mohammed bin Sulayem, along with champions such as Mohammed Al Balushi, who achieved remarkable achievements in the motorcycle category, and Noura Al Jassasi, who emerged as one of the distinguished female faces, and other stars.

Maher Al Badri, Executive Director of the Emirates Motorcycle and Motorcycle Organization, stressed that the UAE continues to consolidate its position as one of the most prominent global destinations in organizing rally races, thanks to its advanced infrastructure and accumulated organizational experience, pointing out that the continuous successes achieved by the championships, most notably the “Abu Dhabi Desert Rally” and the “Dubai International Rally (Baha),” reflect the level of professionalism and integration between the various parties concerned.

He pointed out the organization’s keenness to develop the sport in accordance with the highest international standards, with a focus on attracting the best international drivers, supporting national talent, and enhancing safety and sustainability elements, to ensure continued growth and enhance the UAE’s presence on the global motorsport map.

For his part, Mohammed Al-Darai, Director of the Baha Challenge Project at the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, stressed that the challenge represents an important platform for discovering and honing new talents, by providing a professional competitive environment, noting that the diversity of stages between Al Ain and the Al Dhafra region contributes to raising the readiness of drivers for major competitions.

In turn, Emirati rally champion Mohammed Al Balushi explained that rallying in the country is witnessing great development at the technical and organizational levels, which gives local drivers unique opportunities to interact with the best international expertise, stressing that supporting young talents and providing various championships constitute the cornerstone of building a generation capable of achieving honorable achievements in regional and international forums.

• For more: Follow Khaleejion 24 Arabic, Khaleejion 24 English, Khaleejion 24 Live, and for social media follow us on Facebook and Twitter